It’s a miracle that Giorgio Chiellini ended up playing in Los Angeles given warnings from Aston Villa target Weston McKennie.
The Italy legend announced his retirement in December 2023, but not before he had a brief last hurrah stateside.
A nine-time Serie A winner with Juventus and third in all-time appearances for the club, Chiellini deemed it time to head to MLS in 2022, joining Los Angeles FC where he even lifted the MLS Cup.
An English speaker – remember ‘this is the history of the Tottenham’? – Chiellini had a big taste of US culture in 2020 when one of the country’s most promising young talents arrived in Turin – Weston McKennie.
McKennie had impressed with Schalke in Germany as one of the best ball-carrying midfielders in the Bundesliga, and joined Juve as their first-ever American.
However, despite the US and Italy sharing a number of historical ties, particularly in the state of New York, those don’t extend to where McKennie is from in Washington.
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Juventus dipped their toes into world of football documentaries in 2021, and the ever-colourful McKennie stole the show with the highlight of the series.
Chiellini was seen sitting with McKennie for lunch, and the topic of conversation when from food to pizza.
“Do you know what Ranch dressing is?” he asked the defender. “It’s a white sauce. It’s normally for salad, if you put it on the pizza…”
Cheillini could barely believe was he was hearing, replying: “What are you saying to me? I’m scared of American dressing.
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“We use just olive oil, nothing else. It’s amazing.”
Gianlugi Buffon looked on stunned, while even Turkey international Merih Demiral was shocked.
Soon enough, the shock turned to laughter and McKennie even joked about what Italian coffee does to his bowels.
And while it was all fun and games, it shows one of the midfielder’s biggest skills – he’s adored in the dressing room.
Someone who can take away the seriousness of football until the team’s walking out of the tunnel, McKennie is adored at Juventus and Schalke, two of the biggest clubs in world football even in their current states.
Yet the outlier in his career was a loan at Leeds, where he failed to make an impact as the club were relegated.
That incredibly underwhelming stint has undoubtedly damaged his reputation in England, but not enough for those who look at the bigger picture.
Last season back at Juve, McKennie won back the hearts of one of the most demanding fanbases on the continent, and, despite question marks over his fitness, only three players made more appearances in a campaign where they lifted the Coppa Italia and returned to the Champions League.
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It appears that was enough to convince Unai Emery, the coach who’s barely put a foot wrong since joining Aston Villa, and his right-hand man and transfer guru, Monchi.
Reports claim that he’s a top target for this summer window, and a swap deal with Douglas Luiz could even be in the offing.
McKennie has since reiterated his desire to extend his Juve deal, which expires next summer, but a second shot at the Premier League is on the cards.
That would be bad news for Juve fans, though, and even Chiellini, despite getting off on the wrong foot.